Readings for Sept. 25th

I really found chapter seven extremely interesting of the ARCS text. Using emotion and passion for to persuade your audience is intriguing to me. I categorize myself as being a more pathos type person, using emotion to logic a lot, more than using logic to logic. In another class that I am taking, I found it very interesting because the professor asked us how we find evidence and if we use logic, emotion or experience. In another universe, it would be nice if I could first use logic, then experience following by emotion; however, in reality, I am the complete opposite. I usually base evidence off of emotion, experience then logic. I am very quick to react and follow my gut instincts and then act upon that emotion instead of logically thinking about it. I find it funny, because I think gender has a huge role in that as well. Between male and female, women are always going to react emotionally, while men always want to think logically.

Watching my parents over the years and now talking to my mom and dad about my own issues, it is interesting to hear the two sides to it. My mom is always on the emotional side while my dad is always tuning me into the logical side of things. Between them, I have a great balance, however on my own, I don't have the logic in tune yet.

One part of the chapter I really enjoyed was the basis of Honorific and Pejorative Language. Context and vernacular can dictate the path of the argument. I also like what the chapter said. "That is, honorific and pejorative language conveys value judgements." (ARCS pg. 187) When speaking, someone will solely base their assumptions and judgements on what you sound like and how you present yourself. If you look scummy, you will most likely not gain the success you were looking for. If you look sharp, people will at first glance end up listening to you more.

When it comes to our giant textbook, The Rhetoric Tradition, I found it pleasing to read about Anonymous, and the way letters have formed. I think the form of a letter is very important. It can dictate a number of things, including whether its personal or formal, the importance of the letter and how official it may be. I had no idea that there were so many different types of letters, as well as, realizing there are five parts to the letter. I have grown in modern times, where it was a requirement to know how to format a letter, but I guess I never realized there were names to each part.

I really enjoyed these two chapters today. I look forward to discussion.